Chapter 63: Sudden Misunderstandings

[Uh… that room’s a bit messy, so it’s kind of inconvenient.]

“Nooo, it’s fine, really. I’m desperate!”

Room 202 feels guilty toward Room 203.

Not only has she caused trouble with her dark history, but her head-banging meltdown, wishing to die, punched a hole in the wall—a massive nuisance.

That hole probably amplifies the noise, letting her embarrassing sounds reach him.

That small hole is likely her fault too.

She doesn’t want to cause more trouble.

Still, she can’t help eavesdropping on Room 203.

The commotion sounds like a marital brawl escalating to a duel with a kitchen knife and cutting board.

Just a commotion?

He’s brought some stunning woman, tearing her clothes, rolling around, cursing…

The woman keeps softly confessing love, while Room 203 loses it.

He doesn’t seem like that kind of guy, but he’s not actually hitting her, right?

Since the furniture-breaking noises started, she’s worried something’s wrong.

Who knows?

It looked pretty intense.

He seems nice, but relationships can be different.

Some people are into hitting, aren’t they?

Her outfit was weird too. Could be some strange hookup.

She doesn’t go out much, but across the local stream, there’s plenty of shady fliers.

Should she call the police?

But if it’s a misunderstanding, that’s too much trouble.

The dialogue’s weird, making it hard to be sure.

Maybe it’s roleplay?

Can’t ever tell anyone…

She tries to peek again, but since the kudangtangtang noises stopped, it’s quiet.

He mentioned killing, so just in case, she’ll check.

If it seems off, she’ll run and report it.

Ttiririk.

“Eek!?”

Room 203 steps out, startling Room 202.

For some reason, he’s standing awkwardly, back straight.

Why’s his back like that?

Curious about his state, Room 202 first scans for something that should be here.

“Oh, you were desperate? It was loud, huh? Sorry.”

“No, no, it’s fine.”

“You said you needed the bathroom?”

“Oh, right, right. Sorry. I’ll buy you tastier food.”

“Tch…”

“I’ll get you something really good…”

“Like crab?”

Room 202 ignores him and charges in.

She slams the toilet lid down.

Not that desperate, really.

Should she make a shiii sound?

Decides to sing, but no song comes to mind.

Then, a sound comes from somewhere.

“S-Suki suki suki.”

“Huh? Kiss!?”

“No, a song!”

She leaves the bathroom, but the woman’s gone.

Room 202 was listening—no door opened.

She could’ve gone out the window, but otherwise, the woman’s still in the room.

“Uh, uh!”

“What? Dropped soap in the toilet while washing your hands?”

“No, uh, um. Can I help clean?”

“Already done.”

“Uh, uh!”

“What? Not leaving?”

“My panties on the balcony—might’ve blown over. Can I check your balcony?”

Damn it! What’s she saying now!?

Room 203 feels resentful, piling on more dark history.

No one’s in the room, and the balcony with the mini fridge is the only place to hide.

The bed’s storage makes hiding under it impossible.

“Here, put these on first.”

“Why?”

“Plastic shards are sharp around here. Gotta be careful not to get hurt.”

Thought he was crazy, but he’s always kind.

***

She’s looking for the woman…

Guess she overheard the Nightmare Queen’s dialogue.

Well, we made insane noise.

Wonder why she’s poking around again, but I’ve got no say.

In communal living, I deserve to catch flak for the noise.

Saving the world alone, a little misunderstanding is par for the course.

But the bathroom excuse is kinda funny.

How’s the bathroom broken again?

I didn’t lock it or anything.

“Sorry for the noise.”

“No, no, I broke the wall. Really sorry…”

Keep misunderstanding like that.

Room 202 avoids the balcony window, glances around, and bows again.

“Nothing here. Sorry.”

Of course not.

What’s the chance of underwear blowing into the neighbor’s place?

Her real aim was finding the woman but coming up empty, so she’s dodging.

“No worries. I’ve been practicing acting lately.”

“Huh, acting?”

“Yeah, using AI to make female voices.”

“Oh, got it. Hope you debut…”

She doesn’t buy it.

“Thanks.”

“So, you’re trying to like women?”

“You think I’m a panty thief?”

“No, no, no. I know you’re not like that.”

Did she really come for underwear?

In an apartment, it could’ve blown over and gotten caught.

And she might’ve noticed balcony intrusion traces.

I left the window open last time I escaped.

If she doesn’t recall opening it, she’d be creeped out, if not panicked.

“Not trying to like women—I do like them. The bromides? My ex liked them, and I got hooked. What’re you gonna do?”

“Oh?”

Room 202’s gaze drops.

“That Japanese girl song—you singing it?”

“Here, listen.”

As I quiet down, Room 204 lowers their volume too—guess it was retaliation.

They’ve got tact. Why didn’t they before?

But the audio’s still on, so I let Room 202 hear.

“Wow, it reaches our place?”

“I was loud practicing, so they play it louder to counter. Made it worse. Sorry.”

“No, I’m sorrier for coming over for the bathroom…”

“It’s fine. I’ll use yours if mine clogs.”

“Yes, come over! It’s fine, really.”

Huh?

Got permission?

Two training sessions left.

“I fight naked, though.”

“Huh, why? That’s normal. Particles splash in bathrooms.”

“Right, I’ll let you know if I’m desperate.”

“Use it! You know the code, right?”

She hasn’t changed the door code?

Feels like she likes me, hoping I’m not gay even in dreams…

Room 202’s gaze shifts to my desk.

“What’s this?”

I answer shamelessly.

“A figure.”

“Oh? Ohh.”

Her look changes instantly.

“Wow, so realistic. Saw One Piece figures at a ramen shop, but not this real.”

“Yeah, realistic figures are a thing now.”

“Can I touch it? So cool.”

Her skin felt human when I touched the giant Nightmare Queen—won’t it feel creepy?

Never touched a figure or real doll, so I don’t know.

“Wow, feels just like human skin…”

Then—

“How dare a wench touch my body…”

“Huh?”

I grab the Nightmare Queen in one hand, raising my voice.

“I’m practicing ventriloquism too.”

“No, it came from the figure!”

“What figure talks? Ventriloquism, I said.”

“Huh? Not that it talks, but the sound came from… Room 203, you’re weird. Why keep lying? Wait… no way?”

Room 202’s face pales.

Didn’t want to use charm, but no choice.

I don’t like forcing agreement or belief without persuasion—it’s violence, coercion, deceit, not righteous.

But no choice here.

I cover the Nightmare Queen’s mouth to stop her.

Before I use charm, Room 202 looks at me with pity and disgust.

“Room 203 oppa.”

“Yeah, why?”

“If you want to talk, I’m here. Don’t rely on tools too much.”

What’s she misunderstanding now?

“What tools?”

She grabs my hand.

“If you need a friend, call one, don’t make one. I’m going.”

What the hell?

Huh?

Why’d my level go up?

***

They say that, right? Guys who can’t get girls give up and call each other gay.

That’s it.

He seems fine but never goes out.

Seems weird, like a jobless loner, but he’s normal with me. Talented, reliable.

Maybe he lost confidence economically and gave up on dating.

Or faked being gay to cover it.

Or played with dolls, stripping figures, making them talk!

A guy playing with dolls!?

Still, Room 202’s understanding broadened beyond thinking he’s gay.

Unless he says, “I’m marrying a figure.”

The figure looks just like that woman.

Super similar.

Did he put the figure by the hole to trick her?

Or…

A ghost?

***

Resisted charm again, leveled up.

The room’s not fully cleaned—Carbot robot plastic shards are sharp, so I offered slippers, and that leveled me up too.

Leveling up by being nice to Room 202—what’s that about?

The Nightmare Queen really wants to do something to me.

Resisting it levels me up, so it’s absurd but not bad.

So I eased up on grilling her.

“Why’d you do that?”

“That’s the Fairy Princess, right?”

Grilling her for yelling at Room 202, and she deflects to the Fairy Princess?

The Fairy Princess was staying quiet.

She’s learning magic but knows she’s still a baby, hiding from battles she can’t handle.

I don’t plan to throw her into fights either.

This time, I hid her in the washing machine beyond the window frame, with a double shield just in case.

No yelling from the washing machine today.

“What? Gonna kill her? Your original goal was chasing the Fairy Princess.”

“I can get along with her. She’s a means to avenge my children’s killers.”

“Oh, heard that.”

“Besides, even if we bond, I won’t drain much of your vitality.”

Oh, really?

She keeps emphasizing vitality, like Egyptian pharaohs wanting something by the Nile.

“But a female giant… she could take it all. Even without growing, she’s big.”

“She’s a giant.”

“I’m so small, maybe that’s why you’re not charmed…”

The three wraiths’ Memorials warned: succubi charm men to death.

I get that.

That’s why they’re seen as demons and killed on sight.

A queen-level succubus…

“You’re still weak.”

“Impressive you resist. Thought the Sage’s grudge would help.”

“It’s not familiarity pulling me in. The grudge works like your Shield King as a shield.”

No useful info.

Stat boosts are great, but what are these guys?

“I planned to tell only the truth since my subordinate died…”

“You lied before, so it’s hard to trust. Hm?”

Kurururu.

What now?

The gate’s shaking again.

Just settled the Nightmare Queen, and now more are coming.

“Maritime clan, probably.”

“Those fish? Got just the thing. Hey, CatMan, get over here. Stop folding tissue roses, you nut!”

When Room 202 invaded, I told him to act like a cat if someone comes.

He was sprawled on the bed, but after the order, he’s still pulling my tissues to make roses.

[I’m ashamed to be charmed by a monster like you, so I wipe my regrets with white cloth.]

Folding lotuses with paper, praying for nirvana?

Pets obey orders even if charmed.

Want to make the Queen a pet, but she keeps dodging, so I’m hesitant.

She’s a level-up figure, so leaving her be seems fine, but hard to trust.

“Let me fight.”

“Hm?”

“If I bring their heads, you’ll believe my sincerity and love me, right?”

It’s not about sincerity.

Even if taking vitality doesn’t kill me, it feels like I’d be drained to ruin.

***

The Nightmare Palace, seized by the Black Dragon, reeks of fish.

Maritime clan mid-bosses swarm ashore, wielding weapons, hands, and fins.

The humanized Black Dragon shakes its head.

“Stronger than that, and if the Fairy Princess went with that level, she’s got magic. Not easy.”

“Level 400?”

Their gills make voices leak, but their zeal is fierce.

The Black Dragon quells their enthusiasm with one line.

“Quiet. Our clan won’t add more to his levels.”